TransplantNation

By Douglas Vincent

TransplantNation offers an informative guide that will walk you through the organ transplant process, covering everything from hospitals with the shortest wait times and which offers the best survival rate. Central line infection rates and how to avoid them. You’ll also learn about discount drug programs, nationwide charity and fund raising groups. All book proceeds go towards a organ transplant

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas Vincent
• Release date: Nov 29, 2010

Douglas Vincent

As a suffer of end stage liver disease, Crohn's and Celiac Diseases caused by a failure of my autoimmune system I've spent the last year researching gluten free diets that would work with all the diseases. This pro-active balancing act took months to perfect and has enabled me to eat healthy and delicious meals that allowed me to eliminate my medications for the Crohn's and Celiac disease. My next mission was to research and learn about the transplant organ sharing program to help me prepare myself for the liver transplant operation. Spending more than a year researching extensively about how the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) program operates gave me a better understanding of the importance of knowledge when it came to transplants and the importance of choosing the proper transplant center that would offer me the shortest possible wait time with the highest long term survival rate. Because of my extensive research, I was offered to write blogs for some of the most highly regarded transplant centers to help pre & post transplant patients understand the importance of diet and understand the inner workings of the transplant program. I’m currently the Founder and CEO of Vincent Labs where we develop life saving foods for failure to thrive and hospital patients. I’ve written books for travelers on gluten free dinning and created a free site for gluten free diets at www.eatrightgf.com.

Book preview

TransplantNation

By Douglas Vincent

rev 11.30.10

Copyright Douglas Vincent-2010

Smashwords Edition License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

Cover design by Douglas Vincent

Table of Contents

Prologue

Overview

Organ Transplant Overview

Inherited Memories in Organ Transplant

UNOS

Transplant Myths

Geographic Regions

Shortest Transplant Waiting Lists

What are Central Lines?

Notable first procedures

Notable recipients

Notable Donors

Steve Jobs Get a Liver Transplant

Mickey Mantle’s Liver Transplant

Coming to America

Medical Tourism

A Promising Future for Organ Transplants

Transplant Support Groups

Charity and Financial Groups

Prescription Drug Assistance Programs

Prologue

The number of people needing a transplant continues to rise faster than the number of donors. About 4,100 transplant candidates are added to the national waiting list each month. Each day, about 77 people receive organ transplants. However, about 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.

As of Nov. 1st 2010

Waiting list candidates as of today 5:10pm 109,320

Active waiting list candidates as of today 5:10pm 72,159

Transplants January - July 2010 16,779

Donors January - July 2010 8,477

Overview

As a current patient on the liver transplant waiting list with UNOS, my goal is to share with you the hundreds of hours of research I’ve compiled. This book gives an uncensored look at the process and answers questions that many hospitals avoid sharing openly.

Let me start by saying not all hospitals are equal in their ability or care given to patients. Success and mortality depends on you doing your homework and always question without hesitation your concerns. Never accept a quick answer, instead ask for documentation on statistics from the transplant unit. Then, compare the data with the national database for your region.

I’ve discovered most patients have done more research on a new car or television they purchase than on the type and quality of care they’ll receive during this life changing procedure. Remember your life depends on your medical selection and I hope this guide will start you in the right direction.

This book will answer many questions, covering everything from hospitals with the shortest wait times to central line infection rates and how to avoid them. You’ll also learn about transplant myths, medications, support groups, cellular memory, medical tourism and so much more.

I also include easy to understand tables and links to websites that offer more information on your particular transplant center and where you stand on the UNOS waiting list in your region.

Organ Transplant Overview

What is an organ transplant?

An organ transplant replaces a failing organ with a healthy organ. A doctor will remove an organ from another person and place it in your body. This may be done when your organ has stopped working or stopped working well because of disease or injury. Not all organs can be transplanted. Organs most often transplanted include:

The kidney, because of diabetes, polycystic kidney disease, lupus, or other problems.

The liver, because of cirrhosis, which has many causes.

The heart, because of coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and other heart problems.

The pancreas, because of diabetes.

The lung, because of cystic fibrosis, COPD, and other problems.

The small intestine, because of short bowel syndrome caused by necrotizing enterocolitis, Crohn's disease, and other problems. An intestine transplant is sometimes an option if you have problems with total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

More than one organ can be transplanted at one time. For example, a heart and lung transplant is possible.

Not everyone is a good candidate for an organ transplant. Your doctor or a transplant center will do tests to see if you are. You probably are not a good candidate if you have an infection, heart disease that is not under control, a drug or alcohol problem, or another serious health problem.

If your tests show you are a good candidate, you are put on a waiting list. It may be days, months, or years before a transplant takes place.

How successful is an organ transplant?

Organ transplants have been done in the United States since the 1950s. The procedure is always improving, and transplants are more successful today than ever before. Organ transplant success depends on:

Which organ is transplanted.

How many organs are transplanted. For example, you could have a heart transplant or a heart and lung transplant.

The disease that has caused your organ to fail.

How do you prepare for an organ transplant?

First, you'll need to have blood and tissue tests done that will be used to match you with a donor. This is because your immune system may see the new organ as foreign and reject it. The more matches you have with the donor, the more likely your body will accept the donor organ.

You'll need to take care of your health. Continue to take your medicines as prescribed and get regular blood tests. Follow your doctor’s directions for eating and exercising. You also may want to talk with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed mental health counselor about your transplant.

To learn more about what happens, talk to someone who has had a transplant. Your transplant center or doctor can give you the name of someone who is willing to share his or her experience with you.

You may have to wait days, months, or years for your transplant. Be patient, and ask your doctor what you can do while you're waiting.

What can you expect afterward?

After a transplant, many people say they feel better than they have in years. What you can and can't do will depend on the type of transplant you had, other health problems you have, and how your body reacts to the new organ.

You will have to take daily antirejection medicines for the rest of your life to prevent your

Reviews for TransplantNation

[elizabeth della piana · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Some good info but dated ( 2009 ), and doesn't tell you how to push your MD's to work you up for the list.